The barn at Saltwater Cove was dressed for the occasion.Margie had a stunning flower arch filled with roses and hydrangeas at the entry – perfect for people to take pictures.Inside the barn, the band was setting up under warm lights, the tables were draped in beautiful linens and topped with more flowers.
Annie walked the grounds slowly, taking in the details.The sky was a band of bright blue.The ocean was calm, granting them a reprieve from wind.They had been blessed with unusually warm weather for the season.Despite this, Margie was prepared for the party to go late into the night, with gas-powered heaters standing every few feet outside.
“Margie, this is magnificent,” Annie said when they met outside of the barn.
“No,youare magnificent,” she stepped back, holding both of her hands.
Annie could only roll her eyes.Margie was dressed in a stunning white gown threaded with delicate lace, and flowers in her hair.
“You look lovely.”
“Thank you!”
“I am so excited for today.”Annie took a deep breath, pushing away the negative thoughts.“What can I do to help?”
Margie tapped her chin.“I’d like you to enjoy yourself.You’ve been a huge part of the magic.”
Annie beamed.“Thanks, Margie.”
Over the course of the next twenty minutes, the venue went from beautiful and empty to suddenly full of people and activity: swooshing dresses, booming laughter, and guests with their arms around each other’s shoulders, smiling for pictures.
Annie’s head was spinning.Everyone was here – vendors she’d worked with, people who had donated, people she knew from church and daycare -- yet, no Miles.
She was busy fetching bottles of water for the band, constantly scanning the crowd, when she spotted a familiar face.
At first, she thought she was seeing things.There was no way the woman at the bar could be the same woman she’d seen out with Miles.
Annie dropped off the waters before discreetly making her way back to the bar, weaving through the revelers until she got close enough to confirm.
Yes, it was her, dressed in a strapless black satin gown, her blonde hair twisted into a complicated knot at the nape of her neck.
Mile’s mystery woman, even more gorgeous than Annie remembered.
Her heart sunk into her stomach.This woman had to be Miles’ date.Why else would she be here, standing and laughing, bright and happy?
Heat burned on Annie’s skin.She stumbled her way to the bathroom and locked the door behind her, dabbing water on the back of her neck.She almost splashed water on her face, remembering at the last second she was wearing makeup.
Of course Miles had a date.Why wouldn’t he?He was the fire department’s most eligible bachelor.
And who was Annie?A friend.A neighbor.A charity case on occasion, but nothing more.
It took her several minutes to regain her composure, and when she emerged from the bathroom, someone called her name.
She thought she might have to face him, but it was only Lauren.
Annie stopped dead in her tracks.“What are you doing here?”
Lauren screwed up her face, opening her mouth in mock surprise.“That’s how I’m greeted!”
“You don’t even like the firefighters,” Annie said.She was too emotionally fried to find kinder words.
Lauren cast a look over her shoulder.“What?I never said that.”
“You don’t seem to have a problem with the company ripping them off for fire truck parts, and now you’re here at the fundraiser?”
Lauren grabbed her arm and pulled her aside.“What is going on with you, Annie?”
She caught sight of the beautiful woman again.Recklessness surged in her chest.“Where did you get that Porsche, Lauren?”
